Crystal Hook

ABSTRACT

A system and method for a crystal mount. The system includes a coupler which has a mount and a base. The mount couples to a decorative item, and the base couples to an object. The system allows decorative items, such as a crystal, to be mounted onto a hook. This allows a crystal, for example, to be mounted within skates or other shoes.

PRIORITY

The present invention claims priority to Provisional Application No.62/334,329 entitled “Crystal Hook” filed May 10, 2016, the entirety ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference. The present invention alsoclaims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/344,910 entitled“Crystal Hook” filed on Jun. 2, 2016, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system and method for a crystal hook.

Description of Related Art

Laces, strings, and buttons are used to secure clothing, shoes, etc.They are utilitarian and often boring. Consequently, there is a need fora system and method which allows crystals and other decoration to besecured and adhered to buttons, hooks, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well asa preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, willbe best understood by reference to the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crystal on a skate in one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of a crystal being prong mounted in oneembodiment

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a crystal being mounted in one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side profile of a hook on one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of snaps in one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view of interchangeable snap caps in one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several embodiments of Applicant's invention will now be described withreference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will beidentified by identical numbers throughout all figures. The inventionillustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absenceof any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crystal on a skate in one embodiment.While a skate 105 is depicted, this is for illustrative purposes onlyand should not be deemed limiting. Any shoe, such as a boot, work boot,hiking boots, cleats, tennis shoes, etc. which feature a coupler 101 canbe used. As used herein, a shoe refers to any object placed on a humanfoot to aid with gripping, traction, walking, or maneuvering. Thus, ashoe includes traditional shoes such as tennis shoes and hiking shoes,as well as skates, rolling blades, roller skates, etc.

A coupler 101, as used herein, is a hook, loop, hole, etc. which is usedto secure a button, lace, or string, to an object of clothing such as ashoe. A coupler 101 can be used to couple, for example, shoe laces to ashoe. In such a scenario coupler 101 would comprise a closed eye-ringsor loops through which the laces are inserted.

In another embodiment the coupler 101 comprises a partially open hook. Ahook has an opening on the side through which a lace or string iswrapped. FIG. 1 shows a lace 107 which is wrapped around the coupler101. The skate 105 can be tightened around the skater's foot by wrappingthe lace 107 around the coupler 101, pulling the lace 107 to providetension, and then wrapping the lace 107 around successive couplers 101.

As depicted the coupler 101 houses a decorative item 102. A decorativeitem 102, as used herein, refers to a stone, crystal, or other objectwhich serves primarily to decorate a coupler 101. The decorate item 102,in one embodiment, comprises a Swarovski crystal.

A decorate item 102 serves several purposes. First, it allows the ownerto express themselves in a creative fashion. Using the skates asdepicted, the skater could be wearing a specific outfit. The decorativeitem 102 allows the outfit to match the skates.

Second, adding decorative items allows the user to customize theirclothing. Perhaps they want more “splash” than a standard hook with nodecoration.

Third, the decorative item provides an opportunity for branding.Clothing companies, for example, could put their name or logo on thedecorative item 102. The decorative item 102 can comprise images, logos,letting, numbers, etc. Sticking with the skates example, the decorativeitem 102 can comprise a hockey team, a player's number, etc.

As noted, in one embodiment the decorative item 102 comprises a crystal.The crystal can comprise a clear transparent crystal, a crystal withcolor, a semi-transparent crystal, or an opaque crystal. Further, in oneembodiment the crystal further comprises an image, a logo, a letter, anumber, etc. Thus, the crystal can comprise a clothing manufacturerlogo. The image, logo, etc. logo can be adhered or attached to thecrystal via any method known in the art. The image, for example, can beetched into the crystal, or can otherwise be adhered via glue, adhesive,soldering, etc.

Turning now to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a perspective of a crystal being prongmounted in one embodiment. The coupler 101, as depicted, comprises amount 103 which couples to the decorative item 102, and a base 104. Themount 103 couples the coupler 101 to the decorative item 102.

The decorative item 102 can be coupled to the mount 103 via any methodknown in the art. These methods, include, but are not limited to,various methods of stonesetting whereby stones are set in jewelry. Thereare many different types of stonesetting which can be utilized in thesystem and method discussed below herein. These include bezel settingwhereby the stone, or the decorative item 102, is adhered to metal whichis soldered to the coupler. Other techniques such as channel setting,prong setting, bead setting, and burnish setting can also be used. Oneskilled in the art would understand the advantages and disadvantages ofthe various stonesetting methods as well as the necessary adaptations toutilize decorative items 102 of varying sizes, shapes, and weights.

As noted, FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment utilizing prong mounting. Asdepicted, the mounts 103 comprise prongs which are used to grasp andsecure the decorative item 102. The prongs can be independentlyadjustable prongs as depicted, or there can be a single prong along theperimeter of the decorative item 102.

In one embodiment the prongs are in an open position. Thereafter, thedecorative item 102, such as a crystal, is inserted. Then the prongs aremoved into a closed position to secure the decorative item 102. In oneembodiment the prongs are bent to secure the decorative item 102.

The coupler 101 also comprises a base 104. The base 104 is the portionof the coupler 101 which adheres to an object, such as clothing, shoes,or the like. The base 104 can be coupled to the object using any methodknown in the art including soldering, sewing, adhesives, etc.

The base 104 can be adjacent to the decorative item 102 or it can beseparated a distance, such as depicted in FIG. 2. In one embodiment thebase 104 comprises a flat, planar surface which fits adjacent to theobject, such as a skate.

As can be seen, in one embodiment the coupler 101 comprises an open side106 and a closed side. As depicted the closed side is on the leftwhereas the open side 106 is on the right. A lace or string can bereceived by the open side 106 whereas the closed side engages the laceand prevents the lace from passing. This is what allows the skate, forexample, to be tightly tied.

The coupler 101 can comprise a variety of shapes. The height can vary,depending upon the desired application. In one embodiment the spacing ofthe open side 106, the separation distance between the bottom of themount 103 and the base 104 is at least as great as the diameter of thelace or string used to couple to the coupler 101.

In one embodiment the coupler 101 comprises a single integrally madepiece. In such embodiments the mount 103 and the base 104 comprise asingle piece. Such embodiments have an advantage of fewer parts, andaccordingly, fewer parts to manufacture, break, etc.

In other embodiments, however, the coupler 101 comprises distinct andseparate pieces which are coupled together to form the coupler 101.Thus, for example, the mount 103 can be welded, soldered, or otherwiseattached to the base 104. In one such embodiment the mount 103 isreleasably coupled to the base 104. This allows the mount 103 to bechanged and customized when desired. Thus, if a first mount 103comprises a red crystal, for example, and a second mount comprises ablue crystal, the user can remove the first mount 103 and replace itwith the second mount. Such an ability increases customization andversatility.

The mount 103 can be coupled to the base 104 via any method or deviceknown in the art. In one embodiment, as described above, the mount 103is releasably coupled. In one such embodiment, for example, the mount103 is coupled to the base 104 via a screw or threading, or the like. Inother embodiments the mount 103 is permanently adhered to the base 104.

While one embodiment is discussed wherein the coupler 101 comprises anopen side 106, in other embodiments the coupler 101 does not comprise anopen side. Instead, the coupler 101 is completely closed. In suchembodiments the coupler 101 comprises a closed loop rather than an openhook. In such embodiments rather than a lace, for example, being wrappedaround a coupler 101, the lace is threaded through the closed loop ofthe coupler 101. The coupler 101 can still function as discussed above.

The coupler 101, mount 103, and base 104 can comprise virtually anymaterial. In one embodiment the material comprises metal, plastic, apolymer, rubber, wood, and combinations thereof. The size and shape ofthe coupler 101, mount, and base 104 can be adjusted as necessarydepending upon the application.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a crystal being mounted in one embodiment. Asnoted, those skilled in the art will understand the various methods anddevices which can be used to couple the decorative item 102 with thecoupler 101. In the figure a bit is first used to create a void intowhich the decorative item 102 will be housed. Thereafter, thesurrounding material in the coupler 101 is adjusted, pushed, melted, andotherwise modified to grip and secure the decorative item 102.

FIG. 4 is a side profile of a hook on one embodiment. As can be seen, inthis embodiment the decorative item 102 is a flatback crystal. Unlikethe figure in FIG. 2, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 does notcomprise visible prongs. Instead, the decorative item sits flat andflush against the coupler.

While one embodiment has been discussed in reference to shoes, this isfor illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. Thesystem and method can be used to adhere or couple a decorative item 102to virtually any button, prong, zipper, etc. Consider, for example, abutton down shirt. A typical button has threads which are coupled to alower level of cloth and the button couples to the upper level of clothvia slots. In one embodiment the button is modified to comprise adecorative item 102 as discussed above.

As noted, the system and method discussed can be used in apparel (suchas lingerie, corsets, leather goods), shoes, wedding dresses, boots,tennis shoes, skates. The system can also be used in purses and inequestrian and automotive categories. In one embodiment the system canbe used on anything which laces up and which the user desires to give ahigh-end embellished look.

In one embodiment an old hook on a pair of skates, for example, can bereplaced with the coupler 101 discussed herein. In such embodiments, theentire hook is removed. Thereafter, a coupler 101 disclosed herein isattached to the skate via the base 104. As noted, the base 104 can becoupled with adhesive, sewing, stitching, etc. Thereafter, thedecorative item 102 can be inserted and coupled to the coupler 101 usingany method discussed herein.

In still other embodiments, rather than the coupler 101 being installedwithout the decorative item 102, the coupler 101 is installed alreadycoupled to a decorative item 102. In still other embodiments, asdiscussed herein, once the base 104 is installed, the mount 103 can bedetached from the base 104 to allow separate decorative items 102 and/ormounts 103 to be installed.

As noted, in one embodiment the coupler 101 and decorate item 102 areseparately made and then coupled. In other embodiments, the decorativeitem 102 and the coupler 101 are made simultaneously.

In one embodiment, as discussed, the decorative item 102 isinterchangeable. In one embodiment the decorative item 102 snaps ontothe coupler 101. In one embodiment the decorative item 102 slides tocouple with the coupler 101. In one embodiment, the coupler 101comprises a cover into which the decorative item 102 is placed.

In one embodiment the systems uses flatback stones as the decorativeitem 102 because of the depth at the top of the coupler 101. As noted,these stones can comprise resin, crystal, and combinations thereof, aswell as other materials, depending on the category of the coupler 101.The system can include enamel as well as a stamped embossed design.

In one embodiment a decorative item is carved, embossed, etched, molded,etc. onto the coupler. As an example, a logo or design can be molded oretched into the coupler.

Now turning to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a snap in oneembodiment. Snaps usually have 4 parts. The first piece is the Post thatis flat with a narrow tube sticking up. This will be the back on thewrong side of the fabric or garment. The Stud attaches to the Post. TheCap is the decorative visible portion of the snap and it attaches to theSocket. The decorative item discussed herein can be attached to the cap,or virtually any other portion of a snap. This allows the user tocustomize and decorate a utilitarian item such as snaps.

FIG. 6 is a view of interchangeable snap caps in one embodiment.Interchangeable lace hooks would include a lace hook top formed into thepost/stud combo and the decorative item would be in the socket/capcombo. This would allow the consumer to change out the decorative itemsocket/cap to match their outfits, maintaining the style of theshoe/boot/corset etc. while giving multiple color and decorationaccessory options.

As noted, the decorative item can comprise virtually any decorative itemincluding crystals, rhinestones, etc. The decorative snap cap offersmany different possible combinations which the user can change on aday-to-day basis. The user can have rhinestones one day, skull heads thenext, and decorative stamped metal designs the next day. Thus, in someembodiments the decorative item is interchangeable.

In one embodiment the interchangeable options could be a snap cap, screwpost, rivet post (permanent option), a silicone sleeve, or a combinationof the above.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for coupling a decorative item to a shoe, said system comprising: a coupler comprising a mount and a base, wherein said mount couples to a decorative item, and wherein said base couples to said object.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said coupler comprises at least one open side. 